Two additional Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas will be opened in Jharkhand to fulfil the cravings of quality education of students residing in remote areas and away from the perceived hub of standard institutions of education which are bound to the territorial limitations because of financial compulsions.
As new JNVs are on cards, people in-charge of managing affairs of the institution dedicated to enlighten lives of mostly rural children are elated about a bright future of those children and the State. The additional JNVs are likely to come in Khunti and Ramgarh as land identification process is in progress in the two districts.
“We have identified land in Khunti and the district administration has assured us that they will complete work at the temporary site. likewise, we are waiting for the State government to allot us land in Ramgarh,” said Deputy Commissioner of Patna Regional Office, JNV, S Ram.
As many as 24 JNVs across Jharkhand with a total strength of 560 and occupancy close to 80 per cent across all classes impart quality education to children of rural areas as well as urban areas to dispel the darkness of illiteracy in Jharkhand. The JNVs take students both from rural and urban areas in the ratio of 75 and 25 correspondingly for classes VI-XII. Student exchange programme and Mission Ascribed Career are some of the policies that enable students to hone their strength and prepare them for competitive examinations.
Notwithstanding the motivation to provide quality education in rural areas, the commendable job is eclipsed to some extent by the alleged works brokers of education that connive with other likeminded elements to deprive some rural students of their right which JNV wishes to uphold. As the JNVs evolved as a centre of excellence in education for people stuck up due to geographical inhibitions, it could not find out answer to the problem which is rooted in the failure of government schools to groom children and bring them at par with students studying with ample resources at their disposal in urban areas. Nonetheless, registration in JNVs is increasing steadily.
“Some urban students make their way into JNV by presenting registration proofs of schools in rural areas. Those students by virtue of better standard of education prevail in entrance examinations over rural students most of whom study in government schools. It hurts the interest of rural children,” maintained the DC of Patna RO.
But there is a bright side of the JNVs’ tryst with the troubled hinterlands of Jharkhand where gun overshadows conscience of disempowered and impinges upon the destiny of children who gasp for better education that is considered as a ticket to more civilized world in the State. The JNVs have rarely been at the receiving end of hostile ultras and strikingly even citizens pressed between administration and extremists are docile that assists in shaping career of students.
“The schools have been running very successfully across Jharkhand and we did not face any problem even in naxal-affected areas. Contrary to the perception, ultras indirectly support activities of the schools as there has not been even a single incident of interference from their end in schools’ activities. Children from areas known for intense naxal activity do not indulge in wrong activities and their parents also do not engage in activities that discourage educational activities of schools,” added Ram.
Notably, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, controller of JNVs, has earmarked Rs85,000 for per capita spending in 2015-16.